Most of the items were already committed to TriMet in intergovernmental agreements prior to the passage of Measure 3-401, though, which means the board might have to make the transactions regardless of how the election goes.

By the end of the meeting, they scheduled another discussion on whether they need to pass an interim ordinance that clarifies what the board and staff are allowed to do and debated if the county could push TriMet to stop the line at the edge of Portland.

Ludlow, who campaigned on an anti-light rail platform, suggested asking voters whether the board should try to stop the Orange Line at Tacoma Avenue in Portland, rather than working with TriMet on the two Clackamas County stops.

"They continue to cut back buses, they continue to raise fares, they aren't great partners to start with," Ludlow said.

Ludlow has questioned in previous meetings whether TriMet is a financially sound partner. When some commissioners said TriMet already started significant construction in Milwaukie and at Park Avenue in Oak Grove, where the line terminates, fellow new commissioner and running mate Tootie Smith replied at a previous meeting that she is comfortable ripping out work that's already been done.

They don't have much traction with the rest of the board, though. Commissioner Paul Savas said that Ludlow's suggestion implies a greater policy question of whether the board wants to engage with financially strapped partners, including Clackamas County cities and districts.

"I think mostly to look at them only and to ignore our own agencies that are struggling can be problematic," Savas said.

At the same time, Ludlow wants county staff to continue working on routine light rail work. County Administrator Steve Wheeler sent a memo last week advising staff on what they can and can't do under Measure 3-401.

Staff can accept and process land use permits and attend meetings where rail is discussed. However, they shouldn't vote on anything that might endorse rail projects or commit the county to any work.

The board wants staff to stay active in the light rail process because several commissioners questioned whether TriMet still plans to uphold its commitments, and asked for a report on whether TriMet's plans match their original promises.

"I want to hold their feet to the fire with their processes," Ludlow said. "They are doing the same to us in a lot of ways."